he ancient Scandinavians venerated the mistletoe because

[Freeguy]

The ancient Scandinavians venerated the mistletoe because it ...... brought good luck and fertility.


1. doubtfully
2. presumably
3. actually
4. hopefully


ME:4
Answer key:2

 

[bhaisahab]

The ancient Scandinavians venerated the mistletoe because it ...... brought good luck and fertility.


1. doubtfully
2. presumably
3. actually
4. hopefully


ME:4
Answer key:2

I don't find any of the options acceptable.

 

[MikeNewYork]

The ancient Scandinavians venerated the mistletoe because it ...... brought good luck and fertility.


1. doubtfully
2. presumably
3. actually
4. hopefully


ME:4
Answer key:2

I have no problem with #2. They believed it was likely to be true even though it was not proven -- a superstition.

 

[bhaisahab]

A much more natural and meaningful sentence would be: The ancient Scandinavians venerated mistletoe because they believed (that) it brought good luck and fertility.

 

[MikeNewYork]

A much more natural and meaningful sentence would be: The ancient Scandinavians venerated mistletoe because they believed (that) it brought good luck and fertility.

Yes, but #2 is still acceptable.

 

[emsr2d2]

In BrE, I don't find #2 acceptable at all. Just because a group of people thought (assumed/presumed) that something was true, that doesn't mean we can use "presumably".

I would say that none of them fit. I would reword it "... because it was thought to bring good luck and fertility". At a push, I might say "... because it was presumed to bring ...". I would not use "presumably" in that sentence at all.

 

[Tdol]

It's a poor question. The answer that fits the sentence best for me, apart from being factually wrong, is C).

 

[Gillnetter]

I have no problem with #2. They believed it was likely to be true even though it was not proven -- a superstition.

I agree that it would be used that way in the US.

 

[konungursvia]

As an AmE speaker, I would also say presumably works acceptably here. Not elegant, not quite le mot juste, but okay, and clear enough. Something like allegedly, or reportedly, or supposedly.